Tribute honors Tryon Palace retiring director

By Sue Book, Sun Journal Staff

Published: Friday, October 5, 2012 at 07:30 PM.

The endowment was from assorted supporter and commission contributors, which Congleton said was raised with the help of Tryon Palace African American Advisory Committee, whose chairman Dr. David Dennard spoke about Williams’ work, love and dedication to accurate history at Tryon Palace.

Carlisle read the Long Leaf Pine award plaque citation for William’s career of dedication, work, and informed decisions to protect the historic resources of North Carolina.

“Kay Williams may be retiring but she leaves an incredible legacy,” Carlisle said. While the early Tryon Palace years speak of “Ms. Kellenberger and Ms. Gertrude (Carraway), the years of Ms. Kay will also go down in history.”

In a pre-event call to the Sun Journal, Perdue said she was “disappointed personally that I won’t be in New Bern. I admire Kay’s leadership so much and I care about her personally.”

“She helped me in my early years of public service,” Perdue said. “She is one of the most capable public leaders I’ve ever met. She envisioned what is there today. She could see more than others could see… a New Bern that didn’t exist in the mid-80’s, a New Bern that could be a national tourism site of history and the future… and her stewardship and service helped make it happen.”

John A.J. Ward, commission vice chairman, read a resolution of gratitude from Craven County Board of Commissioners on Williams’ impending retirement and expressing appreciation.

Tryon Palace Commission Chairman William C. Cannon Jr. said, “Kay Williams is the heart and soul of Tryon Palace and how the palace can get along without her remains to be seen. We won’t find a way to replace her but we’ll find enough people to fill her shoes with new director and additional volunteer effort.”

Spotlights illuminated Tryon Palace Thursday night but even brighter lights were shining from nearby North Carolina History Center as friends and supporters paid tribute to historic site director Kay Williams.

The center’s Cullman Performance Hall was packed for the tribute by present and previous members of Tryon Palace Commission, Council of Friends and historic sites and History Center supporters and benefactors.

“Our precious friend, Kay Williams, is getting ready to retire,” said Betty Rae McCain of Wilson, a former eight-year Secretary of Cultural Resources, and emcee for the event to highlight Williams’ Dec. 31 retirement.

“Kay is one of the most able leaders our state has every known,” said McCain. “It is difficult to even think, without her at the helm, of the jewel in the in the crown of North Carolina. If Kay had been married to Governor Tryon, we’d still be a British colony.”

Williams was also honored by supporters led by Tryon Palace Commission finance director and treasurer, local dentist Jim Congleton, with the establishment of a $35,000 Tryon Palace endowment in her name.

Congleton said that with Williams’ “There was always an open door. She was always about ‘What can we do and how can we do it to make Tryon Palace better.’ We looked around for the right retirement gift and found it right here.”

The endowment was from assorted supporter and commission contributors, which Congleton said was raised with the help of Tryon Palace African American Advisory Committee, whose chairman Dr. David Dennard spoke about Williams’ work, love and dedication to accurate history at Tryon Palace.

Carlisle read the Long Leaf Pine award plaque citation for William’s career of dedication, work, and informed decisions to protect the historic resources of North Carolina.

“Kay Williams may be retiring but she leaves an incredible legacy,” Carlisle said. While the early Tryon Palace years speak of “Ms. Kellenberger and Ms. Gertrude (Carraway), the years of Ms. Kay will also go down in history.”

In a pre-event call to the Sun Journal, Perdue said she was “disappointed personally that I won’t be in New Bern. I admire Kay’s leadership so much and I care about her personally.”

“She helped me in my early years of public service,” Perdue said. “She is one of the most capable public leaders I’ve ever met. She envisioned what is there today. She could see more than others could see… a New Bern that didn’t exist in the mid-80’s, a New Bern that could be a national tourism site of history and the future… and her stewardship and service helped make it happen.”

John A.J. Ward, commission vice chairman, read a resolution of gratitude from Craven County Board of Commissioners on Williams’ impending retirement and expressing appreciation.

Tryon Palace Commission Chairman William C. Cannon Jr. said, “Kay Williams is the heart and soul of Tryon Palace and how the palace can get along without her remains to be seen. We won’t find a way to replace her but we’ll find enough people to fill her shoes with new director and additional volunteer effort.”

Keith McClease, a 36-year Tryon Palace gardener and in recent years a member of the African American Jonkunnu performing group at Palace functions, spoke about Williams personnel leadership which built a family of friends of history in it truest sense.

“I consider myself a Kay-Built man,” he said. “From the very beginning she saw my love for the Palace and took me under her wing and started teaching me” for a role that ultimately put in speaking to those in high places to make a case for accurate history and continued Palace support.

Deputy Director Philippe Lafargue, for whom Williams has been a key mentor, attended but did not speak Thursday. Speaking earlier he had high praise for her expertise and success in expanding Palace historic offerings, particularly the History Center development he managed with her guidance.

“Kay’s retirement is the end of an era 30 years in the making,” Lafargue said. “It puts Tryon Palace at a huge intersection and with many decisions on which road to take. They all have different challenges. We have to be ready to adjust and go for it.”

Williams, who turns 70 this year, was contemplating retirement when esophageal cancer effectively made the decision for her. In September, she submitted retirement papers effective Dec. 31. The position has been posted on the state job website while she helps to guide operations mostly from home.

Cannon signed a lengthy resolution of tribute to Williams read by Commission and former Commission members, and presented a currently $35,000 Kay Williams Endowment for Tryon Palace and the N.C. History Center.

The resolution included some insights into Williams work.

Obviously touched and grateful for the recognition and surprised by the endowment, Williams said she was “humbled” by the honor “I don’t feel I deserve. I am grateful to all of you for your love and friendship and the opportunity to do the work I have loved for 30 years.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed it, felt such a sense of belonging in this community,” said Williams.

Sue Book can be reached at 252 635-5665 or sue.book@newbernsj.com. Follow her on Twitter@SueJBook.